Former Capita execs launch new IT business with double acquisition

New firm reveals plan to be valued at £200m in five years

Three former Capita execs have launched a new private equity-backed IT company, aiming for a £200m-plus valuation in five years.

The business, named Aura Futures, has kick-started with the acquisition of two firms: collaboration specialist Intevi and managed print player Karlson.

The new firm is headed by CEO Alpesh Unalkat, COO Sajan Shivshanker and CFO Steven Hallissey and is plotting an "ambitous" buy-and-build strategy.

Unalkat held a number of senior roles at Capita, including chief exec of the managed print business and workplace technology unit.

Sajan Shivshanker was COO in the workplace unit, while Steven Hallissey was CFO.

Unalkat said: "With private equity backing, two complementary businesses as the foundation for growth and the entrepreneurial spirit and track record of those involved, we have huge aspirations for Aura in reimagining the future of workspaces.

"The business world has been facing a number of challenges in adapting to changing working practices, no more so than now. Bringing together changing generational attitudes in the workplace, being agile as to how and where people work and injecting greater connectivity to ensure that people feel part of something no matter where they are, can create huge differentiation in organisations.

"We believe we have an opportunity to reimagine the future workspace, bringing together a unique combination of products and services, and using our expertise to integrate these seamlessly for our clients."

The new business, which currently has six offices globally, is backed by Baird Capital.

Partner Andrew Ferguson said: "At Baird we partner with entrepreneurs and, leveraging our executive networks, strive to build exceptional companies.

"We are passionate about Aura and have made a significant commitment to forming the platform and then scaling the Aura business through further organic and acquisitive growth with an entrepreneurial team that has previously developed, diversified and scaled managed services businesses."